Top 10 factors to consider when deciding where to move

So, you’ve decided to move and feel ready to take the big step. The only question is

Where to move to?

Indeed, it is quite a crucial question.

Deciding where to live is not something to be done lightly – you need to consider a number of important factors to make the right choice.

From job prospects and living standards to weather conditions and crime rates, you should think about it all as every little thing can make a big difference to your life and your future.

How to decide where to move?

Determine your needs and preferences, research your options, and take the following factors into account:

1. Affordability

Without a doubt, affordability will be one of your top priorities when deciding where to move.

After all, living standards vary greatly from state to state and city to city, so you must determine how comfortably you’ll be able to live in your new area.

Affordability refers to both housing costs and living expenses (the prices of goods and services):

• Real estate market – The available housing options and the median home price in the area should be among your first concerns when looking for the perfect place to live. You will need to find an affordable property that suits your needs and preferences – a house or apartment that is the right size for your family, with a monthly rent or mortgage that doesn’t exceed 25% of your disposable income, located in a safe and prosperous neighborhood and within easy access to shopping centers, recreational areas, and entertainment options (See also: How to find the right home when moving to a new city);
• Cost of living – The costs of groceries, utilities, transportation, medical care, education, clothing, entertainment, and other relevant amenities must be carefully considered when choosing a new city to move to. If you move to an area with a higher cost of living, the purchasing power of your money will decline and you will need a higher income to ensure your financial stability. The state taxes, income taxes, property taxes, and other local taxes should also be taken into account when looking for a place to call home.

Useful information: Cheap states to move to – the lowest cost of living states in the US

2. Employment opportunities

Oftentimes, landing a new job is what brings people to a new city. It is very common, however, to move in pursuit of better career opportunities as well.

If you’re moving without a job, you need to consider your job prospects and income potential before choosing a city.

• Start by analyzing employment opportunities within your field and determining where in the country your knowledge, skills, and professional expertise will be in high demand.
• Consider moving to an area where you will have a chance to advance in your career or establish a successful business of your own.
• Make sure you research the overall business environment in the region and the average salaries in your field, as well.

See also: What to consider when relocating for a job

3. Climate

The weather is another important factor to take into account when deciding where to move next – the climatic conditions in your chosen area will impact your lifestyle and will determine what kind of clothes and equipment you’re going to need, what kind of outdoor activities you will be able to practice, how much time you will be able to spend outdoors, etc.

Certain weather quirks, such as frequent storms, tornadoes, etc., will require specific precautions to ensure the safety of your home and your family. And some types of climate may have a negative effect on your health.

Read also: What to know when moving to a cold climate

So, whether you prefer a cooler climate or year-round sunshine, make sure you look into the average temperatures, humidity levels, and precipitation rates in a region before deciding to move there.

Consider any weather-related natural disasters that are common in the area and avoid climates that may aggravate your health condition.

Related: Should you move to a warmer climate?

4. Geography

Take into account the physical features of the places you are considering. Are you moving to an area with mountains, plains, or rivers? Are you moving to a coastal area?

The topography of your destination can and will affect transportation and the types of recreation available to you after the relocation. For instance, living close to a mountain can give you the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing. However, moving to a mountainous area can also limit your access to services during the wintertime.

Also, you’re going to have to make a choice whether you prefer to live in an urban, suburban, or rural setting. It’s not a secret that urban areas will offer you a wider range of amenities, public transport, and job opportunities. On the downside, big cities often have issues such as more serious pollution, too much noise, and severe crowding.

Good to know: 7 survival tips for moving to a big city for the first time

As you’re well aware, rural areas offer more space and a closer connection to nature. The major disadvantage of moving to the country, though, is that certain rural areas tend to lack specific services and facilities.

Read also: Moving to the country: YES or NO to a life in the country

5. Safety

Wherever you decide to move, there will likely be some amount of crime.

Crime rates, however, are quite different in different states and cities, so it is important to look into an area’s crime statistics prior to moving.

You can get the information you need by contacting local police departments or researching the Internet. Most larger urban areas have detailed crime reports, so you can easily identify the risk of personal and property crimes for a city – just type the name of the city and “crime statistics by neighborhood” in a search engine.

There may not be detailed information for smaller towns, though.

6. Culture and social opportunities

Your lifestyle after the move will be influenced by the cultural practices and social opportunities in your new community, so you need to know what an area has to offer before choosing to live there.

When asking yourself Where should I move?, consider your passions, hobbies, and preferences and see where in the country you’ll be able to easily pursue your interests, practice your favorite activities, and enjoy your favorite pastimes.

• If you crave diversity and want a choice of many different shops, restaurants, and sources of entertainment, you should move to a large metro area;
• If you love arts, music, and theater, a major city that offers plenty of cultural experiences will be the right choice for you;
• If you’re into sports and games, you should choose a place where many sports events take place, where you can find numerous recreational options, or where you will be near your favorite team;
• If you have a large family and need a lot of space and a kid-friendly community, moving to the suburbs may be your best option;
• If you’re a nature lover and enjoy outdoor activities, you may want to move to the country or live in a place near the ocean or in the mountains; etc.

Pros and cons of moving to a small town

What to know when moving to a big city

The demographics, ethnicity, and religious affiliations of an area should also be a factor in where you choose to live. When you’re surrounded by people who have similar interests and beliefs as you, you’ll be able to quickly merge into the community.

See also: How to adjust after moving

7. Education

Education is a crucial factor when deciding where to move, especially for families with children or people who plan to pursue their studies further.

So, if you have children, you’ll need to consider the educational opportunities in a city before moving.

• Consider the performance and reputation of local schools when choosing where to move to. Take a closer look at standardized test scores, graduation rates, and college admission rates.
• Look into the extracurricular opportunities that schools offer in the areas you’re considering. Keep in mind that schools that offer a wide range of extracurricular activities (sports, music, art, clubs, etc.) will provide a better education in general and develop children’s interests and abilities outside the standard curriculum.
• Keep in mind that living close to quality colleges and universities can be a big factor when deciding where to move. This is especially true for people who wish to enhance their education or for families with college-age children.

Just make sure you choose a place to move to where your kids will be able to go to good schools and pursue their interests.

See also: How to find the best school for your child after moving

8. Infrastructure and amenities

From top-rated schools and good hospitals to abundant green areas and convenient public transportation, you need to make sure that you and your family won’t be missing any of the amenities you love or need the most after the move.

• Healthcare – Easy access to quality healthcare is of paramount importance, especially for children and older adults). So, when deciding where to move, be sure to look for towns and cities with good hospitals and medical care facilities. (See also: How to find a new doctor after moving);
• Commute times and public transportation – Traffic and commute times have a big impact on day-to-day life, so they should be factored into your decision as well. A good public transport system can be a significant benefit – it makes it easier and cheaper to get around town and may help cut down on the amount of time you will spend commuting each day.
• Accessibility. You should also check the walkability of the area you’re moving to, as well as its level of bike-friendliness. These criteria may or may not matter to you right now but even if they don’t, you may find out that they become more important to you in the future.

Make a list of all the necessary services and desirable conveniences you’d like to have access to in your new area so you can more easily figure out which cities meet your requirements.

9. Proximity to family and friends

If extended family and friends are important to you, consider moving to an area that is not too far away from where they reside – you will want to visit your loved ones often and it will cost you a lot of time and money if your new place is halfway across the country.

If you prefer to move away from your old life and start afresh in a new city, it may be a good idea to choose a place that is as far as possible from your current location.

See also: How to deal with moving away from home and family

10. Long-term goals

Last but not least, you should consider your long-term goals when deciding where to move. Why? Ultimately, your choice of location should align with your own plans for the future.

For example, if your long-term goals are career-oriented, then it makes sense for you to pick a location that has abundant job opportunities in your professional field.

On the other hand, if you’re planning to start or grow your family, you should prioritize areas with good schools, family-friendly communities, and safe neighborhoods. As a bonus, moving to a place that’s close to extended family might be important for you when it comes to childcare and support.

If you plan to retire in the destination place, then you should definitely consider factors such as climate, cost of living, healthcare facilities, and recreational activities.

Having considered all the above factors, you’ll end up with a short list of cities or towns that suit most of your needs and preferences and will be able to easily choose the place that appeals to you the most.

Be sure to start planning your relocation and looking for good movers as soon as you find the answer to the fundamental question What city should I move to?

Good luck!